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DB Cooper

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I will be spending my first year as a Deer Valley pashokder this year and am looking for a ski to both fill out the narrower end of my quiver and for daily use at DV. My existing quiver is composed of an Enforcer 93 (I love this ski) and Backland 108.

Knowing the conditions at DV I’d like this ski to have frontside chops but still capable in adventures of piste here and there. The ones on my list currently are the DPS F87, Blizzard Brahma, and Kastle fx 85. I consider myself a pretty advanced skier but not a speed demon and not the most technically proficient carver. I enjoy off piste terrain the most but recognize that if I spend my days at DV I’ll be on the groomers more often than not. I’m 6’3”, 215 lbs.

Thanks!
 

Dwight

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Since this seems popular to recommend, Head V10. I haven't been on it, but want to.

@cantunamunch, would I be correct on recommending it for the OP?
 

cosmoliu

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I'd like to nominate the Stöckli Laser AX. I've had it on snow at DV, which seems to be its ideal habitat. It trenches the morning groomers on the Wasatch/Sultan side of the mountain and has enough all mountain chops to take it in the bumps under Empire. It's even capable in the Daly Chutes between storms. For storm and aprés storm skiing you have the Enforcers and Backlands. A Deer Valley three ski quiver.

Edit: Philpug beat me to the punch. Probably would have come in under the wire had I been typing on my desktop instead of the iPhone.
 

Lorenzzo

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Christy's at Silver Lake typically has a great line-up on their wall with most of the popular brands as well as a few Indies and you can demo as many as you'd like in a day for one fee. Since they're practically on the snow it's really convenient. You might have to check the tunes a day or two before and ask them to tune any that might need it. The demo fee is the same as for one pair and applicable if you buy there. They are unusually price competitive given their market and location.

Nice suggestion by @cosmoliu and @Philpug as to the AX.
 
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cantunamunch

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Since this seems popular to recommend, Head V10. I haven't been on it, but want to.

@cantunamunch, would I be correct on recommending it for the OP?

IMHO it doesn't quite have the top end of the other skis suggested - it would be fantastic at lower speeds, more compliant at like 15-25mph than even the AX - but it would get discombobulated at the bottom of a high speed cruise to the lift under someone OP's size.

To me, OP sounds more like a Monster candidate.
 

Philpug

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IMHO it doesn't quite have the top end of the other skis suggested - it would be fantastic at lower speeds, more compliant at like 15-25mph than even the AX - but it would get discombobulated at the bottom of a high speed cruise to the lift under someone OP's size.

To me, OP sounds more like a Monster candidate.
Yeah, @Drahtguy Kevin found the limits of the V10. iTitan woudl be the suggested wide carver of choice from Head.
 

Marker

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IMHO it doesn't quite have the top end of the other skis suggested - it would be fantastic at lower speeds, more compliant at like 15-25mph than even the AX - but it would get discombobulated at the bottom of a high speed cruise to the lift under someone OP's size.

To me, OP sounds more like a Monster.
FIFY

While you were talking about a ski for a big guy, the term "Monster" sounds way more fun than "Clydesdale" for us big guys!
 
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DB Cooper

DB Cooper

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Thanks for all the feedback. I think the stockli is a wee bit out of my price range...Kastle most likely as well.
 

Kyle

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Even with your preferences, you need a groomer ski that does not suck off piste rather than an off piste ski that does not suck on groomers. The Enforcer 93 will be a good compliment to that type of ski. The suggestions of the Head Monster 83/88 sound spot on to me—particularly if you do not want to consider the premium priced skis. You might also consider something more groomer specific.
 
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DB Cooper

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You put it well: looking for an on-piste ski that doesn’t suck off piste.

Even with your preferences, you need a groomer ski that does not suck off piste rather than an off piste ski that does not suck on groomers. The Enforcer 93 will be a good compliment to that type of ski. The suggestions of the Head Monster 83/88 sound spot on to me—particularly if you do not want to consider the premium priced skis. You might also consider something more groomer specific.
 

SkiSpeed

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The Brahma will work; you can carve on them as well as enjoy them off-piste, steeps/chutes, trees, bumps. Given your size, you may want to consider the 187 if you are super aggressive/fast w/good technique; if not, the 180s should be pretty solid underfoot. While I have never skied DV, I have spent a lot of time at Snowbird on the Brahma's and feel confident they would rock for you.
 

David Chaus

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Of the skis you mentioned in the first post, the DPS F87 would be my pick. I skied it on a mostly groomer day at Alta, with some off-piste 3-day old cut-up snow, loved it. I like the Alchemist layup even more, but that’s more shekels.

I am also thinking a Fischer Pro Mountain 86 might be worth taking a look at. If you’re more groomer-focused (which would make sense with the skis you already have in your quiver) you might consider The Curv GT, which I admittedly haven’t been on, but people whose opinions I respect seem to like. Fischers tend to have really good build quality, without the premium price.
 

Kyle

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Those Fischer’s are both good choices. I partiicularly like the Curv GT for Deer Valley. Try to A/B the Fischer against one of the Head Monsters (I have only skied next year’s 88 but my son skied the 83 and raved about it as well) and I’ll bet you would be happy with the result. Not sure which I would prefer because I have never skied them close in time to one another. Both are premium feeling skis without the inflated price. I skied the Heads between rounds on Stockli and Kastle skis and they didn’t really suffer in the comparison. I like the Volkl RTM 84/86 as well in this category.. Obviously Stockli and Kastle make great skis in this category if you are willing to pay for them (I lover the Stockli Laser CX and Kastle MX series).
 

Started at 53

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It will be my first year as a DV pass holder too, not an inexpensive pass, so let me try to put it into perspective...

A quality ski like the AX is “pricey”, but a quality ski will likely give more pleasure, and last longer, possibly require less tuning due to better components. So while the initial outlay is higher.... Is it really more expensive?

While @Philpug is not a fan of our Bomber Skis, @Lorenzzo has seen them up close and in person and even tuned/waxed them for us and he can speak for the quality. I am pretty sure (inside info here) that the DV area will have Bomber Skis available. The Pro Terrain with the 84 waist might be just the ticket.
 

graham418

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The new Liberty V82 might be the DV ski. Its premium enough, and has some good initial reviews
 

Lorenzzo

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It will be my first year as a DV pass holder too, not an inexpensive pass, so let me try to put it into perspective...

A quality ski like the AX is “pricey”, but a quality ski will likely give more pleasure, and last longer, possibly require less tuning due to better components. So while the initial outlay is higher.... Is it really more expensive?

While @Philpug is not a fan of our Bomber Skis, [B]@Lorenzzo[/B] has seen them up close and in person and even tuned/waxed them for us and he can speak for the quality. I am pretty sure (inside info here) that the DV area will have Bomber Skis available. The Pro Terrain with the 84 waist might be just the ticket.
Hey how is it that I tune and store your skis? How did that happen?
 

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